Cable car services to reach Kochi in 3 years

Kerala tourism is bound to get a shot in the arm as a cable car project connecting Marine Drive, Bolgatty, Vallarpadam and Vypeen, will be up and running in two and a half years in Kochi.

The Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) will be commissioning the project if there is no delay in getting requisite approvals.

Two companies have evinced interest to be consultant of the project. One is a Swedish company, which operates cable car services in foreign tourist centres and the other is Rohini Prasad and Associates, an Indian firm that has ties with Botswana and French cable car companies. One of these companies would get the opportunity to prepare a detailed project report. The preliminary expenditure of the project is pegged at Rs 300 crore.

The delay in appointing a consultant is due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown restrictions as the company representatives are unable to attend related meetings. The consultant has to prepare the design, a financial feasibility study report and construction technicalities for the multi-crore project. The project's total cost and the quantum of service fee can be gauged after getting these relevant details from the consultant.

After getting a detailed blueprint of the project, deal would be signed for constructing and running the venture, which is meant for ferrying tourists.

"Applications for various approvals will be submitted after the project report is ready," said N Prasanth, KIIDC MD.